Las Vegas Weekly

June 4, 2009 · 8:26 AM

Photo Gallery: It’s Kobe vs. Dwight in Game 1 of NBA Finals

By Robin Leach

NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Everything is set for Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Los Angeles between the Lakers and the Orlando Magic. It’s really a sensational showdown between Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard. The Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets four games to two, and the Magic beat the Cleveland Cavaliers with the same results to arrive at this momentous battle.

Even President Obama has weighed in! Before his Saudi Arabia trip, Obama predicted a win for the Lakers in six games. Our sports books all along the Strip are taking millions in bets as the Magic makes its first Finals appearance since 1955.

Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was on duty earlier this year at the All-Star games in Phoenix, and his photo collection of Kobe and Dwight in action against each other gives us all an idea of what we’ll see for the next week or so. Tom reminded me that this really is Disneyland vs. Disney World, and that Dwight attempted to set a Guinness Book of World Records mark by making a shot from half-court from a seated position on the floor. Amazingly, that shot almost made it!

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Kobe Bryant takes a shot while playing for Team USA.

Both Kobe and Dwight joined the NBA right out of high school, and Kobe, 30, earned $21 million this season, and Dwight, 23, earned just shy of $14 million!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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